GENERALLY(Casuarius casuarius) Cassowaries are a large flightless bird belonging to
the "Ratite" family. The family name is derived from
the Latin "Ratis" meaning "Raft" which describes
the flat breastbone or sternum which lacks the keel that acts
as a extra anchorage for the large flight muscles of flying birds.
The name Cassowary is from a Malay name [kesuari] for the birds
There are 3 species of which the "Southern Cassowary"
is found in North Queensland Australia. Normally Cassowaries are
very shy but when cornered can lash out dangerously with their
claws- PopulationA realistic population size is thought to be 1500-3000 individuals,
though some sources claim up to 10,000. About 40 Cassowaries are
kept in captivity in Australia

HABITATIn Australia this large ratite is confined to rainforests and
associated habitats in northern Queensland (see map below). Other
subspecies occur in New Guinea and nearby islands. In these tropical
rainforests, the Cassowary prefers stream banks and clearings.

DECLINE Much of this rainforest has now been cleared,
and the Cassowary that remain are vulnerable to dogs, shooting,
traffic when crossing roads, starvation and, possibly, disease
(Tuberculosis and aspergillosis-related diseases) and nest predation
and competition from feral Pigs. The main reason for decline in
the southern Cassowary population has been clearance of the prime
habitat, rainforests. Clearance for agriculture has virtually
ceased but continues for residential and tourist development.
Adult Cassowaries are occasionally shot, though this is illegal

PHYSICAL- General Appearance (+
Colouring) Distinctive. Tall, greyish bony casque (helmet)
on both sexes. Skin on head pale blue, becoming darker down neck.
Some red lateral skin on neck also. Two long red-to crimson free-swinging
fleshy Wattles originate at the front of the neck with an orange
patch on the back of the neck. Body black. Feathers coarse hair-like
(bristle like) with shaft and aftershaft. Short, stout green-grey
or brown-grey legs, feet same colour; three toes. Inner toe-nail
an elongated spike up to 120 mm. Female Cassowary slightly larger
and more brightly coloured and more dominate. Size to 1.75 m.
approx (5 feet). Though unable to fly, the Cassowary is a good
swimmer- Colouring of YoungHatchling downy; striped yellowish brown with longitudinal black
stripes to about 3 months. Cassowary juveniles have a brown-bodied
head and neck pattern like the adult but duller, and also lacks
a casque (helmet). The body plumage becomes blacker with their
increase in age.- Helmet (Casque)Grey
in colour and slightly directed forward this vertical bony helmet
protects the birds head as it makes its swift way through the
thick undergrowth of the rainforest. The Cassowary is the only
bird in the world to have any type of protective armour- FootEach foot on the Cassowary has 3 forward pointing toes with strong
claws to provide grip while running, the inner toe having a 12cm
(5") long spike for defensive purposes when it kicks out
when cornered.- CallHow to describe this unique call differs in every source of information
I have accumulated. They range from :-
:- Thunder in the distance
:- The lowing of a cow to its calf (when calling to its young)
:- Throaty call like a truck being started Their call has been
heard over a distance of 3 miles on a still night- EatingThe Southern Cassowary is largely confined to rainforest and associated
complexes that can provide a year round supply of fleshy fruit,
most of which is picked up from the ground. High variation in
fruit production both between seasons and between years appears
to cause movements of parts of the Cassowary population The seeds
of the fruit that they eat is secreted undamaged thus the bird
has an important role in the dispersal of rainforest seeds. They
can also eat small dead marsupials and birds

BREEDINGThe female Cassowary lays 3 to 6 large (5 1/2 in x 3 1/2 in) pale
green Eggs on forest litter and may be served by a number of Males
during the breeding season
from May until November deserting each in turn after the eggs
are laid.
The male Cassowary incubates the Eggs for about 2 months then
takes care of the
young until they reach the age of 9 months